Monday, October 13, 2008

What I’m Getting Wednesday

My little rant this week is again against the bailout. We were f**ked by our political rulers and the fact that both the evil and stupid party wanted to do it makes it both evil and stupid (an expression I have stolen from WBAL Talk Show host Ron Smith). This was the wrong thing to do and this will prolong the agony of our depression (deep recession). I can’t tell you how upset this makes me, but companies that were able to have private profits, but can now make their losses public is a crime against the middle class. This is the first time wealth distribution mandated by the government has been to take from the middle class and give to the wealthy. So now what is the pressure to run your business right? Just get big enough that the government is scared if you fail and then come running hat in hand. The same genius running Wall Street and creating these products are the ones we are giving money too and letting their people run the program. It is insane and will be a point marked in history as the decline of the American Empire.

The books that I anticipating the most this week are:

Final Crisis Legion of Three Worlds #2 (of 5) - Geoff Johns and the Legion of Super Heroes from all three eras. It is hard to not like this book. Of course if they do not get help for George on penciling this series the last issue will be coming out in June 09. The company line “Geoff Johns and George Perez continue crafting the Crisis of the 31st Century! As Superboy-Prime leads the Legion of Super-Villains against everything and everyone inspired by the legacy of Superman, the Legion of Super-Heroes are forced to call for help from beyond their world. Meanwhile, contingency plans are created by Brainiac 5 as he attempts to overcome Colu's devastating betrayal, Dawnstar and Wildfire pull off a startling rescue, but at a horrible cost to the universe, and Saturn Girl uncovers the source of the Legion's troubles.”

Justice Society of America #19 - This book is always one I look forward too although I wish the pace of this book would pick up as the Kingdom Come story feels like it has gone on long enough. Again with Johns and Eaglesham and characters I love, it is a book that I can’t wait to read. The hype “"One World, Under Gog" continues! The Justice Society begins to dissolve as Gog vows to bring peace to Earth…in a way that frightens some and thrills others. But with Hawkman around, it's not going to be a simple debate. Plus, Starman reveals his concerns about the team's future to Mr. Terrific while Power Girl struggles to come to terms with her greatest desire!”

Welcome to Hoxford #3 – Ben Templesmith’s work is getting better and better. I loved Wormwood, but Hoxford has more depth and actual story to it. Last issue had a great ending and I look forward to this issue. Ben’s art is always a treat. The word “The fight for life, as well as a little sanity, begins in earnest as what's left of the inmate population runs for their lives. Ray and some of the survivors, however, refuse to simply be hunted and go on the offensive. Plus, the big question is finally answered: Just what do Werewolves taste like?”

THE REST OF THE LIST

===============================================Air #3 – Hey I dropped this book what is it doing back on my list. Well I mail out my floppies to three different people and Gwen was getting Air and liked it, so decided to give it another try. What’s inside “Blythe has traveled across the globe in search of the man she loves – a man who also might be a terrorist. Now, she's a prisoner in Narimar, a country that doesn't exist on any maps, and to survive, she'll need to become a key player in its civil war or wind up a casualty of it. Continuing the series from the acclaimed team of writer G. Willow Wilson and artist M.K. Perker.”

Batgirl #4 (of 6) – This has been a decent little series, the whole Cain/Deathstroke thing and their apparent training of a bunch of young girls to be assassins seems even over the top even for a comic book plot, but the series has been enjoyable. The word “Batgirl and company take on the deadly Daughters of David Cain and one of the toughest villains in the DCU – both at the same time! Plus: The identity of David Cain's target is revealed! If you thought life was getting easier for Cassandra, you were wrong!”

Batman and the Outsiders #12 – Since the second to last part of RIP came out, I will be curious to see what message Batman left this non-group that has done nothing. I should probably drop this book. The company line “A "Batman R.I.P." tie-in! Deception, dissension and death…the final issue of the "OUTSIDERS NO MORE" story spells the end of the line for one of the team's members. But will it mean the end for the team itself?”

Booster Gold #13 – I have enjoyed this book, but I'm wondering if Booster’s premise may not be better as a series of mini-series as opposed to an ongoing monthly. Each issue has been a good read at this point. The hype “When Booster Gold's ancestor mistakenly captures a strange-looking starfish for his would-be girlfriend, all hell breaks loose! After being possessed by Starro the Conqueror, a Time Master travels through history spreading body-snatching clones in order to take over Earth one era at a time! Can Booster save humanity from an invading alien force?”

Brave and Bold #18 – This is when I should drop a book for a couple of issues and come back later. Marv Wolfman, while a favorite years ago, has not had a story from him that I have liked in recent memory and part 1 of this story was no exception. What’s inside “The son of a former Super Hero finds himself lost in the grip of the past, and it's turning him into a threat capable of engulfing the future! That leaves Supergirl and Raven to save the day!”

Casey Blue Beyond Tomorrow #6 (of 6) – I have been up and down on this series, so I’m curious to see how it all wraps up. Of course the whole series feels more like an origin story, so if I like it I may be disappointed if the character is gone for good. The word “Casey reaches her full potential in a massive throw-down in Washington, DC! Fists will fly, secrets will be revealed, and death will be right around the corner as this high-octane series' first chapter reaches its action-packed conclusion!”

Fables #77 – Now we get to what Fables should be about during the next run on this book. The first major story was Snow White and Bigby, then the War and now what. The hype “In part 1 of an all-new, 4-part story, meet Freddy and Mouse, two local rogues who just want to get along and perhaps turn a bit of profit in the post-war, topsy-turvy world. Meanwhile, in Fabletown, a new political group forms called the Society of Seconds, and what they want doesn't seem very reasonable at all. Titled "Life in a Headless Empire," this issue is the first step in the next great FABLES epic!”

Final Crisis Rogues Revenge #3 (of 3) – This has been a solid companion book to Final Crisis (and boy do we need that book to show back up) and I have enjoyed a tale told from the ultimate outsider’s perspective as the Rogues are bad guys and guys who don’t want to play Libra’s game either. The company line “Captain Cold and the Rogues only want one thing – revenge. But with the Secret Society hitting the Rogues where it hurts, that revenge is being kept at an arm's length. Not to mention, the subject of their revenge is now under Libra's protection. It's do or die time for the Rogues as this villainous mini-series concludes! Plus, what's up with...Barry Allen?”

Flash #245 – Last issue of this series was a really bad issue and I think that DC needs to let this series die and look for a writer who has some solid ideas to come in and take Wally back to the next level. I know we are awaiting the Flash Rebirth series, but if done well no reason Wally and Barry can’t both have their own books. The word “Flash learns that nothing is safe anymore as Queen Bee causes an attack on his house and Linda. Guest-starring Black Lightning!”

Jonah Hex Luck Runs Out Trade – I have enjoyed the actual series so much that I have been picking up the trades also. Maybe one day DC will do a full color collection of all of Jonah’s old comics. This volume contains “Six-guns blaze again in this new JONAH HEX title collecting issues #25-30! This volume features a lost chapter from the end of Hex's trail, in which he meets his son in an awkward and violent encounter.”

Robin #179 – This series is now well past the end of RIP and yet it is doing a good job of showing Robin trying to keep parts of Gotham quiet even without a Batman being around. The hype “"Search for a Hero" continues as Robin tries to save one young boy from drowning in the tidal wave of gang warfare drenching a newly anarchic Gotham City. But why does Ragman not want the boy to be saved? And why is Spoiler paying a visit to the General?”

Stormwatch PHD #15 – Last issue of this book was excellent as Stormwatch did what they had to do, even though it seemed to the people that is was the wrong thing. The post apocalyptic world of the WU is the most interesting it has even been. The word “StormWatch receives a distress call from the Earth's surface and an old ally rears his head – Jon Drake, leader of The Establishment! But the happy reunion doesn't last long as he brings news of newly awakened Soviet-era doomsday machines preprogrammed in the event of a nuclear war to seek out and destroy the United States! And the fourth chapter of the Marc "Backlash" Slayton back-up story concludes, by Christos Gage and Mike McKone!”

Superman Batman vs Vampries Werewolves #1 (of 6) – Who green lit this project? It feels like it should be in the Superman / Batman book, but they produced it and releasing it in October makes some sense. I’m getting it to check out Tom Mandrake’s art as I enjoy his work a lot and want to see if the odd premise can work. The company line “A man is killed by a mysterious creature – his body drained of blood. A woman is savagely attacked by a ferocious beast – her jugular ripped out. Bat wings flutter across the moon and the howl of a wolf echoes through the streets, for the creatures of the night have risen from the grave, and humanity's only salvation is the combined might of The Last Son of Krypton and The Dark Knight Detective. Blood will run red when Superman and Batman face off against vampires and werewolves for the fate of the entire DCU!”

Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Special - DC calls it a number one, but why do we need a number. For all you long box people (thankfully I’m no longer among them) how do you file issues like this stuff? This is the beginning of a lot of tighter continuity between the Superman family of titles. The company line “Straight from the pages of SUPERMAN, Jimmy Olsen, would-be star reporter, doggedly investigates the mystery surrounding Superman's newest foe, Atlas! But the secrets behind the titan of yore lead Olsen across the country and into great danger as he must survive attacks by none other than Codename: Assassin! And just as Jimmy is getting to the truth, he finds himself in the Midwest and seeking the aide of a hero long thought dead. This story leads directly into SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON SPECIAL #1!”

Titans #6 – This series is missing that certain something, but last issue was better and I still have a soft spot for this group so I’m hanging on. What’s inside “Raven is missing, and the Titans must truly come together as a team in order to save her. Their fragile unity is further threatened, though, when they discover what they're really up against! And, as if the Titans didn't have enough on their hands, an old member resurfaces and brings along an unexpected threat that no one could've seen coming!”

Trinity #20 – Just a very strong series that has found a wonderful rhythm, I look forward to this book every week now. The hype “Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman no more! The heroic Trinity have met their fates at the hands of their villainous counterparts in the Troika. Now the Earth trembles helplessly in the hands of the villainous group while Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman's accomplishments are being forgotten!”

Dynamo 5 #17 – This has been such a great group book and has been coming out on a pretty regular basis, hard to believe we are up to issue #17 already and still have stories that are starting to write themselves. The company line “As the comatose Maddie's consciousness slips farther and farther away, Scatterbrain enters her mind in an effort to revive her. Along the way, he witnesses key moments in her life. But the longer he stays, the greater the risk that both he and Maddie will become trapped in her unconscious mind!”

Roberts #2 (of 2) – What a strange premise of two serial killers ending up in the same retirement home, but the first issue was very well done. The word “The Boston Strangler and the Zodiac Killer are alive and well, living amongst the old and dying of The Shady Lane Retirement Center. Surrounded by bingo tournaments and tea times, these two notorious serial killers quietly trade "war stories" about their golden years, two seemingly parallel pasts filled with violence and victims.”

Conan the Cimmerian #4 – Last issue this series finally got on track in my opinion and I can safely look forward to this book again (I hope). What’s inside “Conan finds himself at odds with Horsa-an Aesir leader last seen in "The Frost Giant's Daughter"--when he tries to protect his former Cimmerian lover, Caollan, from Horsa's strange war party. Conan faces off against some strong Aesir soldiers, as well as the colorful-yet-foolhardy berserker Thorgeir and the powerful witch Olva. Being caught in the middle of a blood feud between Cimmerian and Aesir chiefs is bad enough, but things get much worse when Olva summons the demonic Skrae to hunt down Conan and his secretive ward. Richard Corben's flashback sequences--featuring Conan's grandfather, Connacht--take a surprising turn when they dovetail into the present for an exciting cliffhanger!”

Atomic Robo Dogs of War #3 (of 5) – Atomic Robo just rocks. Always entertaining and always a great read. Not sure if I wanted one long story for this arc, but I’m happy as this not only contains the main story, but nice fun short back-ups. The word “Atomic Robo is on a train loaded with Nazi soldiers. His mission - to punch the living hell out of anyone who gets between him and German spy master, Otto Skorzeny! But is that what Otto was planning all along? Meanwhile, Britain's top covert agent, The Sparrow, must assassinate Dr. Vanadis Valkyrie before she can perfect her dreaded Wehrwolf Formula - but a certain atomic-powered robot ruins everything!”

Chronicles of Dr. Herbert West #1 (of 6) – Another company mining Lovecraft. I always have to check out what the first issue is like. The company line “Zenescope brings readers a modern update of the classic H.P. Lovecraft story, 'Herbert West: Reanimator.' Doctor Herbert West is an undisputed brilliant medical student, but his experiments with a serum created to re-animate the dead are frowned upon at the New England university he attends. West is soon forced to continue his grotesque experiments in secret, with varying degrees of success. But the closer he gets to perfecting his serum, the more obsessed he becomes with reversing death. And when he makes his greatest breakthrough, the young genius learns that some things were never meant to return from the grave!”

Epilogue #2 - You wife and family are killed by Vampires and you are turned into one, so you become a vigilante. A shorten and glossing over the details premise, but essentially correct. The first issue was very enjoyable, but I’m a Steve Niles fan. The word “Writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and artist Kyle Hotz (Man-Thing) continue their all-new series featuring the ultimate avenger-outsider. The action and intrigue continue as the need for vengeance turns one man into a supernatural force of justice.”

Grimm Fairy Tales #31 – I have been hot and cold on this book, but seem to prefer it when it is about Sela and Belinda now more then just Belinda alone. The hype “Part 1. A single father has only his young son left in the world. It's a bond that can never be shattered, but what if your son isn't really the boy you thought he was? Will Belinda find a way to corrupt yet another young mind, or will a father's love be enough to protect his flesh and blood from evil? Two lives mirror one another if the first part of what might be the most intense and heart-wrenching Grimm Fairy Tales to ever hit store shelves!”

Astonishing X-Men #27 – Still not sold on this book but I will give it a little more time as Ellis has strong concepts usually. The company line “Big action. Big Science. And a big mystery to solve! The superstar team of Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi take the X-Men to the "Second Stage"! "Messiah CompleX" pulled the X-Men team together, "Divided We Stand" tore them apart. Now the X-Men are back to business -- with a new look, a new base of operations, and a mission that will take them into mind-bending and previously uncharted territory -- one that will test them -- and their leader Cyclops -- to their very core. You won’t believe your eyes.”

Ghost Rider #28 – Has to be a surprise hit of 2008 for me as I never dreamed I would be getting Ghost Rider on a regular basis and looking forward to it. The word “The biggest GHOST RIDER arc in ages begins here, as long lost brothers turned enemies Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch finally come face to face. In the snow covered mountains of Tibet, Blaze and the all new Caretaker uncover a startling secret about the Ghost Rider. Or should I say, Ghost Riders. And that sets the stage for a battle to decide the fate of Heaven itself. Plus, a Ghost Rider Saga backup feature.”

Guardians of the Galaxy #6 – The writers have managed to make the Secret Invasion cross-over almost palatable as the focus is still on the GOTG. What’s inside “Trapped on Knowhere, the Guardians desperately race to uncover their Skrull infiltration. But why are the Skrulls in the Guardians' bizarre HQ, and what exactly are they up to? And even if the Guardians survive the danger, paranoia and intrigue, will the team itself be in one piece after all the cards are laid bare?”

Mighty Avengers #19 – Okay it is official I’m getting bored waiting for the end of Secret Invasion and the continual background issues of the Avengers’ books has been well done, but I’m ready to move on. The company line “Before the Skrulls invaded the human race, they battled the noble Kree in a bloodwar that has lasted centuries. And in this special Secret Invasion tie-in, the lives of two of the most famous Kree, Captain Mar-Vell and Marvel Boy, will alter the events of the Invasion forever. This special issue will have very serious consequences for the future of Mighty Avengers.”

Marvel Masterworks X-Men Volume #105 – I was a little iffy as this is some ancillary X-Men stuff, but it has the Beast short lived solo series that had some good moments and I decided to get this Masterworks. This volume contains “Continuing the story of Marvel’s original mutant adventurers, the MARVEL MASTERWORKS brings you the rarest X-Men appearances collected together for the first time ever! When the merry mutants hit the skids, they don’t buckle under -- they hit the road, and you’re riding shotgun. So sit back and get ready for a set of stories that rock the X-Men world to this day! Pushed undercover by mutant paranoia run amok, the Beast sets off on his own, taking a genetic research job with the Brand Corporation. But Hank McCoy’s scientific curiosity will come to curse him forever as an experiment gone horribly wrong turns him truly into a beast. Fanged, covered in head-to-toe fur, hunched over and driven to bouts of furious bloodlust, McCoy must struggle to retain his humanity as he struggles against the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Quasimodo the Living Computer, Juggernaut, the mutant Mimic and the emerging menace of the Secret Empire that seeks to rend the X-Men asunder. Meanwhile, you’ll see Havok and Polaris head to the desert Southwest -- but somehow excitement doesn’t stray far when the green-haired magnetic mutant encounters the green goliath himself, the Incredible Hulk! Iceman engages in aerial battle with someone who might not call him “friend,” the Amazing Spider-Man -- but all is forgiven when the combined X-Men team-up to aid the wall-crawler against the living vampire, Morbius! Collecting AMAZING ADVENTURES #11-17, INCREDIBLE HULK #150 and 161, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #92, MARVEL TEAM-UP #4, and the rare X-MEN #67-80 and ANNUAL covers, this volume is a must-have for every mutant madman.”

Moon Knight #23 - I got sucked back into this series, but I’m enjoying Marc Spector trying to fight back against almost everything. The word “Norman Osborn and the Thunderbolts have been tapped to bring in the fugitive Moon Knight -- by all means necessary -- and so far they’ve been left empty-handed. But Norman’s got a foolproof plan to flush out his prey. He’s got the numbers and the element of surprise, but what he doesn’t know is that Moon Knight is not alone.”

Ultimate Origins #5 (of 5) – This series had a few good moments, but since I will not get a Jeph Loeb Ultimatum book I will miss any follow-up and I won’t really care. The hype “It all comes together in this climactic issue as we follow the twisted paths of Bruce Banner and Nick Fury as they approach their destinies. And at last--the Watchers speak! And what they have to say about the uncertain future of the Ultimate Universe is utterly terrifying. You must not miss this one!”

So I leave you with a question, that if the economic downturn is relatively steep and prolonged, what will you cut from your comic list? Personally I’m letting a lot of mini-series drop off the list and not replacing them with as many and I have cut back on nice to have hard covers and trades. Of course my pre-orders for hard covers carry out till March so the reduction in that category will take a little while to take hold.

2 comments:

So, just what do you have in mind as the appropriate reaction to the financial crisis? And not what should have been done differently leading up to it. What do you, Mr President, do if confronted with the situation upon your inauguration?

Second I would institute free comic book day on every Wednesday - oh no that is my personal dream.

Seriously - I may look to act as a guarantor of interbank lending, but I would not reward bad business decision by allowing failures to survive.

I actually believe but not doing anything the crisis will be extremelly severe but short lived which is better then a flat economy and or rampant inflation for 10 years or more, Inflation is what I'm most concerned about as we print fiat money like there is no tomorrow.

I will not pretend to have all the answers, but I do know it is inherently wrong to reward bad decisions. Compound the problem but putting the people who screwed it up in charge of fixing it.

When I worked for Citicorp and an operation was screwed up we brought in a new team to clean up the problem.